Parks & Recreation Department

History

History
The St. Charles County Parks and Recreation Department traces its origin back to the fall of 1995, when a citizens' group formed the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Facilities Task Force. This group addressed open space and cultural issues for St. Charles County's 2010 Master Plan. The following year, the task force concluded that creating a Parks and Recreation Department was the best option to conserve the valuable resources of St. Charles County. After it was placed on the ballot in 1997, and passed by a public vote, the St. Charles County Parks and Recreation Department was created.

Mission Statement
The St. Charles County Parks and Recreation Department's mission is to diligently preserve and conserve the natural and historic resources of this County for the recreational benefit and enjoyment of our citizens.

Vision
To provide County residents with regional parks and recreation facilities that will enhance the historical and natural environmental heritage; promote the high quality of life that exists in the rural and urban areas; resolve to meet the growing demand for preservation of open space; encourage tourism; and actively seek coordination with St. Charles County Municipalities in order to meet the needs for delivery of recreation facilities and services that nurture healthy lifestyles for people who live, visit, and enjoy our County.

Goals
1. Preserve the open spaces of St. Charles County by acquiring and protecting valuable land for the historical and natural heritage of the County. Unique sites of historical or natural features should be preserved, even if they do not meet the acreage requirements of a regional park.

2. Acquire 4,000 acres for parks and open space by 2015. At a minimum, 50% of the acquired acreage should be maintained in a natural state. Park sites should be regional in their scope, and as such, should be 100 acres or larger in size.

3. Provide programming facilities and services for park and recreation activities as dictated by user demand that are both self-directed and structured in natural settings.

Accomplishments
By the end of 2003, the St. Charles County Parks Department reached its initial goal by acquiring more than 2,000 acres of land for development in eight designated park areas. At this time, the Department has opened seven parks for public use - Broemmelsiek Park (near Defiance), Hideaway Harbor Park (near Portage des Sioux), Indian Camp Creek Park (near Foristell), Klondike Park (near Augusta), Matson Hill Park (near Matson), Quail Ridge Park (near Wentzville), and the Youth Activity Park (in Dardenne Prairie). Several new parks (including Towne Park that will be located along Highway 61 in northwestern St. Charles County) are under development and are anticipated to open over the coming years.
In addition to the development of park resources, the Department operates programs and special events for adults and children throughout the year. As staffing and the park opportunities grow, programs and special events increase in frequency and scope.

Chronology of the St. Charles County Parks and Recreation Department

October 1996	Comprehensive Open Space Plan that lays the groundwork for a County system is completed.
Fall 1996 to Spring 1997	Use for Parks campaign builds support for a county parks and recreation system. (Jan Beardsley and Patricia York co-chairs)
April 1997	Public vote approves authorizing the Use Tax to finance acquisition and development of parks and open space.
September 1997	Curt Loupe, first Director of Parks and Recreation hired.
October 1997	First potential Park property visited. That property becomes Quail Ridge Park, the first new Park land in the County system.
November 1997	Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meets for the first time and elects Bob Fridley as chairman.
July 1998	Nick Donze hired as Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation.
September 1998	Three public input sessions on Quail Ridge designs are held. County Council approves contract for Quail Ridge purchase from Henry Stealey.
October 1998	Quail Ridge Masterplan finalized using input from the public sessions. Grant application submitted to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources for assistance in developing Quail Ridge Park.
November 1998	The American Society of Landscape Architects St. Louis Chapter adopts Quail Ridge as one of its organizations “100 Years, 100 Parks” Design Projects.
December 1998	Dennis Evans Elected Park Advisory Board Chair for 1999.
January 1999	County Receives grant funding for Quail Ridge in the amount of $137,000 from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
April 1999	Archer & Associates Engineers retained to develop construction drawings and bid documents for Quail Ridge Phase I.
May 1999	Darlene Harrison elected Advisory Board Chair for remainder of 1999 term.
August 1999	Closing on Quail Ridge Park.
November 1999	Quail Ridge Phase I construction awarded to Lamb Construction Co. County purchases 250 acres of land that will become Klondike Park for $2.48 million from Dr. Henry and Jean Macler.
December 1999	Lamb Construction Company begins Phase I work at Quail Ridge.
January 2000	Julie Eckstein elected to chair Parks Advisory Board.
February 2000	Phase II design and engineering for Quail Ridge Park awarded to Archer Engineering for a cost of $53,500.00
March 2000	Bid award to Buescher Frankenberg Associates, Inc for design and engineering services for Hideaway Harbor Park. Total cost not to exceed $37,500.00.
April 2000	Park Ordinances considered and adopted by County Council.
July 2000	Phase I of Quail Ridge Park opened to the public.
August 2000	Phase II Quail Ridge construction bid awarded to Demein Construction for $487,731.52.
September 2000	Received $4,901 grant from Missouri Department of Conservation to plant trees at Quail Ridge Park.
November 2000	Received Lewis and Clark Trailblazer Award from East-West Gateway Coordinating Council for innovative efforts.
January 2001	Quail Ridge Phase II small pond construction bid awarded to Dockler Engineering at a cost of $9,127.50.
February 2001	Quail Ridge Park Phase III engineering and design bid awarded to Archer Engineering in the amount of $47,900. Klondike Park Phase I engineering, design, and construction management bid awarded to Pickett Ray and Silver Inc. for a cost not to exceed $262,010.00.
March 2001	County purchases 525 acres of property in northwestern St. Charles County, which will eventually become Indian Camp Creek Park, from Hunt Properties, LLC, for approximately $3.7 million.
April 2001	Trail work begins at Matson Hill Park for mountain bike trail. Received Land and Water Conservation grant of $116,981 from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
May 2001	Received “GreenLeaf Grant” of $1,700 from AmerenUE.
June 2001	Dedication of Matson Hill Park and opening of bike trail. Purchased Youth Activity Center property, 31.3 acres — 25 acres is designated as park land.
July 2001	Quail Ridge Phase III construction bid awarded to Demien Construction in the amount of $713,685.68.
August 2001	Donation of Towne Property, 109.67 acres, by Betty Towne. Bettie Yahn-Kramer appointed Director of Parks and Recreation. Hideaway Harbor construction bid awarded to Lamb Construction in the amount of $328,500.00. First Fishing Derby for kids 12 and under held at Quail Ridge Park.
September 2001	Youth Activity Center Masterplan Design Services bid awarded to Parsons, Harland, and Bartholomew & Associates. Skatepark Architectural & Design Services bid awarded to Lawrence R. Moss & Associates.
October 2001	Public forum meetings held displaying master plan proposal for Indian Camp Creek property. Klondike Park construction bid awarded to Demien Construction in the amount of $990,814.13. An additional 27.5 acres purchased at Indian Camp Creek for approximately $180,000.
November 2001	First of three public meeting held for input on County skatepark.
December 2001	Second public meeting held on the County skatepark. Clearing and road cut work began at Klondike Park. Planning initiated for completion of Klondike and Quail Ridge Parks.
February 2002	Final public meeting and presentation of the completed design plans for the skatepark were presented to the public.
March 2002	Awarded Missouri TreeScape Citation of Merit – Missouri Forestry Council. Darlene Harrison elected Advisory Board Chair for 2002.
May 2002	Hideaway Harbor construction finishes, and park opens to the public. Parks Department dedicates “Discovery Statue” at Quail Ridge Park.
August 2002	Quail Ridge Phase 4-Structures construction began. County purchased approximately 384 acres, which will become Broemmelsiek Park from Jack Broemmelsiek for approximately $3 million. County has exclusive purchase rights for remaining 110 acres of life estate.
October 2002	Hideaway Harbor officially dedicated.
November 2002	Darlene Harrison re-elected Park Advisory Board Chair for 2003.
January 2003	Farnsworth Engineering selected for Indian Camp Creek Design work.
February 2003	Received $100,000 Federal Grant for development of trails at Klondike Park.
March 2003	Received Missouri TreeScape Citation of Merit Award, Missouri Forestry Council. Construction of wetlands started at Quail Ridge.
April 2003	Parks Department hosts first “St. Charles County Earth Day Extravaganza.”
June 2003	County 2015 Masterplan approved, Parks Department is to acquire 4,000 acres of parkland by 2015.
September 2003	Skatepark dedicated and open for public use. Boat ramp at Klondike Park opened for public access to Missouri River.
October 2003	National Recreation and Park Association conference in St. Louis presents off-site tour to Klondike Park. Completion, dedication and Lodge opening at Quail Ridge Park.
November 2003	County’s first Off-Leash Area is dedicated and opened at Quail Ridge Park. Toth Property addition to Indian Camp Creek Park (55 acres) is acquired from John and Virginia Toth for approximately $460,000.
December 2003	Curlee Property (former home of Daniel Boone Hays, a grandson of Daniel Boone) is added to Matson Hill Park (200 acres).
January 2004	Darlene Harrison elected by acclamation as 2004 Chairperson for the Park Advisory Board.
February 2004	Received $11,800 Lewis & Clark Conservation Grant from Missouri Department of Conservation to install interpretive signs and establish prairies at Klondike Park.
April 2004	Public forum meetings held to discuss plans for Broemmelsiek Park.
May 2004	Klondike Park is dedicated and opened to the public.
June 2004	Parks Department hosts National Trails Day celebration at Klondike Park. Parks Department holds first “Dog Days of Summer” event at Quail Ridge Park’s Off-Leash Dog Area.
October 2004	Parks Department introduces “Paint Your County Parks” competition for local Plein Air (open air) painters to paint scenes found inside the parks.
May 2005	Youth Activity Park is dedicated and opened to the public. County awards Phase Two Design Work for Indian Camp Creek Park to the Farnsworth Group.
June 2005	Received Exceptional ReLeaf award from Forest ReLeaf of Missouri for efforts to protect Peruque Creek in Quail Ridge Park.
September 2005	County chooses Kozeny Wagner to complete Phase One construction at Indian Camp Creek Park.
January 2006	County selects Frederich Construction to complete Phase One construction at Broemmelsiek Park.
February 2006	Rose Mack elected 2006 Chairperson and Cindy Springer elected Vice Chairperson of the Park Advisory Board. New members Teresa Proebsting (Council District 5) and David Arns (Council District 6) also join Board.
March 2006	County Executive Joe Ortwerth (Public Official Achievement Award), Park Supervisor James Kent (Distinguished Service Award for Parks and Natural Management), and Gateway Off-Road Cyclists (Citation Award) awarded by Missouri Park and Recreation Association (MPRA) for commitment to area parks.
May 2006	Ground-breaking ceremony for construction of the National Horseshoe Pitchers Hall of Fame Museum is held at Quail Ridge Park.
September 2006	Youth Activity Park hosts first-ever skate competition (SK8FEST). County selects Frereich Construction to complete work for Phase Two at Indian Camp Creek Park.
October 2006	Indian Camp Creek Park is dedicated and officially opened to the public. Patti Banks Associates is selected to complete engineering plans for Towne Park and for Phase Two work at Broemmelsiek Park.
November 2006	Dolores Freymuth donates 100 acres of land (owned by the family since the mid-1800s) to the County with the intention of preserving the site for future parkland.
December 2006	County acquires property at intersection of Highway 94 South Outer Road and Heritage Crossing — with intention of developing the site as a museum focused upon the historical and cultural heritage of the area and serving as the County’s key link in the Centennial Greenway.
January 2007	Rose Mack re-elected Park Advisory Board Chair for 2007. New members Kevin Cantwell (District 3) and Ruth Mellor (District 7) join Board.
March 2007	Department receives Missouri Alliance for Historic Preservation’s McReynolds Award for its efforts in restoring the Boyd Plantation homestead at Towne Park, which was originally built in 1828. A public-input charette is hosted by Patti Banks and Associates to begin design work on the Hays home and addition to Matson Hill Park.
April 2007	Broemmelsiek Park is dedicated and Phase One is (three miles of multi-use trail, five picnic shelters, a fishing lake, and the County's second Off-Leash Dog Area is opened to the public.
May 2007	The St. Charles County Historical Advisory Board is established to assist the Parks Department in its efforts to preserve and maintain County-owned historical structures, cemeteries, and other locations of interest. Nancy Baker is elected chair of the Board.
June 2007	Dennis deJong is named Assistant Director and Ryan Graham is selected as the Park Historian. Cannon General Contractors awarded contract to build astronomy-viewing site at Broemmelsiek Park. Harlan Company Construction chosen to build maintenance shed at Indian Camp Creek Park. County awards EDM with structural and use analysis project for Heritage Crossing. Department celebrates County's first National Go Skateboarding Day with event at the Youth Activity Park.
August 2007	County purchases 207 acres of land south of Matson Hill Park for $3.1 million, which expands the park to 475 acres in size.
September 2007	Department begins offering evening "Campground Programs" led by Park Rangers at Klondike Park.
October 2007	National Horseshoe Pitchers Association Hall of Fame and Museum opens at Quail Ridge Park. Department partners with Gateway Off-Road Cyclists to host County's first celebration of National Take A Kid Mountain Biking Day.
November 2007	County accepts donation of 100 acres of land near Missouri River and Highway 364 (Page Avenue) that will preserve the site for future parkland as "Spring Bend Park". County Council approves lease of 160-acre Bangert Island (located south of Blanchette Bridge along Missouri River) from Missouri Department of Conservation to serve Department as hiking/bicycling trail and parkland.
May 2008	Department begins leasing Louis H. Bangert Memorial Wildlife Area (Bangert Island) from the Missouri Department of Conservation and opens 2.6 miles of trails to hikers and bicyclists at this facility. Phase Two Development Area at Indian Camp Creek Park (with additional picnic shelters and a youth-group camping facility) and the Astronomy Viewing Area at Broemmelsiek Park also open to the public. A Wildflower/Birding area is created at Klondike Park.
June 2008	Online reservations for park facilities and recreational programs are now available at www.sccparks.org. Broemmelsiek Park is recognized as one of "America's Best Dog Parks of 2008" by Dog Fancy magazine.

Look for more great additions to the St. Charles County Parks system as St. Charles County Government continues the acquisition and development of quality open space for the enjoyment of our residents.